PEG

According to a report in the International Journal of Toxicology by the cosmetic industry's own Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) committee, impurities found in various PEG compounds include ethylene oxide; 1,4-dioxane; polycyclic aromatic compounds; and heavy metals such as lead, iron, cobalt, nickel, cadmium, and arsenic. Many of these impurities are linked to cancer. Despite this, the CIR concludes that many PEG compounds “are safe for use” in cosmetics but adds that PEG compounds should “not be used on damaged skin.”

PEG compounds have been found to open the pores of the skin, enabling environmental toxins to more easily enter the body. Examples of these environmental toxins are DDT and DDE, both of which have the ability to influence the endocrine and reproductive systems.

PEG is also known to cause allergic reactions on skin with sun exposure, otherwise known as “Mallorca Acne”.

According to the Environmental Working Group, the following percentages of common toiletries contain PEG compounds and other impurities that are linked to breast cancer: